Your 19-Month-Old

mumtoddler WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR CHILD: THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Your child's motor skills are advancing. She may now be able to stack her blocks higher than before or throw and kick a ball. Engage her in activities that test these evolving skills and offer her increasingly difficult challenges. When she's mastered the art of sorting shapes, offer her a simple puzzle. Set up a makeshift goal in the garden and show her how to kick the ball into it. Find a child-sized basketball net and let her practice throwing. Find the activities she enjoys the most. If you sense she's getting frustrated with a new game, take a break and try again later.

2. Your child may be afraid of monsters, especially at bedtime. Do you remember those monsters that lurked in your wardrobe, the shadows on the wall and those scary sounds that seemed to exist only at bedtime? Your toddler is nearing an age when he may begin to be frightened by similar spooks. Here is how you can reduce his fears:

  • Limit your child's exposure to scary movies and books.
  • Use a dim nightlight in your child's room or let him keep a child's torch by his bed to scare away shadows.
  • Use soft music to help mask any of your house's creaks. (Of course, make sure that the equipment and electrical cords are out of your child's reach.)
  • Let your child use 'monster mist' to scare away troublesome wardrobe dwellers. Simply apply a 'monster mist' label to an ordinary spray bottle and fill it with some water. (Or leave the bottle empty and instruct your child to scare away spooks with invisible magic mist.)

    Above all else, always be available to offer a hug or a calm lullaby when your little one is afraid. He'll soon outgrow this stage and will most likely begin creating scary stories to tell you!

    Click here to find out more about nightmares and night terrors.

    3. Your child's attention span is increasing. You've spent your day playing with your precious little one. Now it's time to cook dinner, and you must break yourself away. But your toddler still wants to play. What do you do? You may be able to convince your bundle of energy to play independently for a few minutes. Select a favourite toy and watch her entertain herself. She'll probably want to stay close to you, but you may find that by this stage in her development she's able to play quietly (or not so quietly) while you are nearby. As she grows towards her second birthday, you'll find her attention span will increase considerably, making independent play a real possibility. It should be increasingly easy to prepare dinner without stopping every other minute to find a new toy to capture her attention. Just be sure you stop often enough to supervise properly, even as she plays 'alone'.

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    YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY

    You may be thinking about trying to potty-train your child. Experts advise that it is better to start potty-training too late than too early. Your toddler is probably too young to start focusing on controlling involuntary body movements. Plus, starting too soon could make him feel ashamed that he is unable to perform appropriately. Most children begin to use the potty between two and three years of age. At this time, they've likely developed enough, both physically and emotionally, to master such muscle control. Be patient and allow your toddler to tell you when he's ready. Approaching potty-training in a supportive, non-judgmental manner will have your little one out of nappies before you know it.

    Keep your child safe around water:

  • Never let your toddler bathe unattended. In the time it takes you to answer a ringing telephone, a bathing toddler can drown.
  • Secure toilet lids with appropriate locks.
  • If you have a pool, make sure the area is gated with a child-resistant lock.
  • Teach your child not to swim or go near the pool alone.
  • Drain all kiddie pools after each use.
  • Store unused buckets upside down.
  • Drill drain holes in sandboxes and other places in your garden where rainwater can collect.

    It's scary to consider that a child can drown in just an inch of water, so remember to constantly supervise your child near any amount of water.

    Keep your child safe when you leave her with a babysitter. You're heading for a relaxing night out with your partner and your new babysitter will be with your children for an hour or two before she puts them to bed. Are you sure your babysitter has the necessary skills to care for your children properly? Does she know which toys are safe for your different-aged children? Is she familiar with any special circumstances, such as your child's food allergies or necessary medications? Be sure to interview a babysitter as you would a potential long-term day-care provider. There are several courses young babysitters can take to increase their knowledge of children and their ability to deal with potential dangers. They could, for example, take advantage of the child and infant CPR training offered by the Red Cross.

    Here's what you can do to ensure your child's safety when you're away from home:

  • Leave a list of phone numbers behind. Make sure you include your GP's office, nearby relatives' home numbers, emergency personnel numbers, mobile or pager numbers if you have them, and of course the number where you will be that evening.
  • Plan ahead for minor emergencies. Leave a torch handy in case of a power cut. Put away any electrical items that you used to get ready that night, such as curling tongs or blow dryers. Be certain a fire extinguisher is handy.
  • Plan meals and snacks for your kids before you leave. This way, you'll be certain they'll be eating foods that meet with your approval.
  • Set bedtimes in advance. Your babysitter should try to stick to your child's daily routine while you are away.

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    FUN ACTIVITIES

    Help your child unwind. Each afternoon before her nap and each evening before bedtime, engage her in activities that will melt away the day's tension and leave her ready for much-needed sleep. Some favourite calming techniques include reading a story, doing a puzzle, colouring with crayons, cuddling with you or watching fish swim in their tank. These techniques will also help you unwind. Just be careful not to fall asleep before your toddler.

    Make a play date. Ever feel the need to take a break from playing with your toddler and spend time socialising with someone your own age instead? Your little one is no different. If you sense he's tiring of playing with you every day, make a play date with one of his friends for a couple of hours. Here are some simple steps to ensure a fun time for everyone:

    Schedule wisely. Once or twice a week will probably be sufficient. Plan your timing around the children's naps. A fed, well-rested child is usually the easiest to entertain.

    Keep the sessions brief and well-supervised, increasing the length of playtime as the children grow.

    Don't be surprised if the play isn't all that interactive. Toddlers often play separately in the same room. Do not force them to interact. On the other hand, be there to intervene gently if they play together too roughly.

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    SIMPLE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

    Don't take on more household responsibilities than you can handle. How do you and your partner share household chores and child-care responsibilities? Have you revised your thinking since the birth of your baby? You have probably found the lines shifting since you brought your baby home, but have you taken time to fully discuss your specific situation and redefine individual responsibilities? Take a few moments to outline a new plan of attack. Try it out for a while. Then, revise the plan if necessary. A simple discussion now can prevent hurt feelings later. Remember that the key to a successful relationship is making sure each partner feels loved and appreciated. Listen to your partner and communicate your own needs clearly. You'll be able to reassign responsibilities in a manner you both feel is fair. As a result, your house will be more organised and comfortable, and your children will appreciate a new sense of order.